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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 16, 2019 9:45:22 GMT -5
It's another Wednesday, and you know what that means Pinky... Time to take over the world? No, it's time for... OFF THE RACKS!!Real readers, Real Reviews  Here's what we read this week: Hawkman #8 by Hondobrode, MrJupiter and Michael D |
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Post by hondobrode on Jan 16, 2019 14:07:02 GMT -5
Hawkman # 8 by Robert Venditti and Bryan Hitch
This issue has Carter going to Krypton and meeting his counterpart.
Showcasing the beauty and grandeur of the majestic planet and her fate and a realization.
The final page reminds me of Venditti's previous run on Valiant's excellent X-O Manowar; that's a good thing.
One of the few new comics I'm buying now, my favorite.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2019 0:04:40 GMT -5
Hawkman #8: Hawkman meets his Kryptonian self in this melancholy issue. There’s several Superman Easter eggs, so if you are into Superman, check this issue out. The issue is a conversation between Hawkman and Catar-Ol as Krypton destructs. I would read a mini series just about the Kryptonian Hawkman. I liked how he’s a historian and how sad he was that all he had preserved was just moments from being destroyed. I liked the thoughts of Hawkman at the beginning of the story about Superman and how he inspires hope. Hawkman didn’t quite get what he was looking for on Krypton, but based on his conversation with Catar, he may have already possessed what he’s been searching for all along. Things aren’t looking good for Earth at the end of the story. Excellent issue from start to finish with absolutely beautiful art.
10/10
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 17, 2019 10:42:50 GMT -5
Marvel Comics Presents #1Written by Ann Nocenti, Greg Pak and Charles Soule Art by Tomm Coker, Paulo Siqueira and Greg Land Summary: Three stories in one featuring the might of Captain America, Namor and Wolverine!
Plot: I admit, I'm a sucker for anthologies so this was always going to appeal to me but this particular one is especially great because it combines three stories that I easily would have bought on their own. Wolverine during WWII fighting a supernatural menace? Yes Please. A slice of life with Captain America? Sign me up. Namor reacting to the bombing of Japan? I'll read that. And here we get all three in one which is a fantastic bargain. Although, all three were great(I loved the one and done Cap and Namor tales!) the Wolverine story was hands down my favorite, not only was the supernatural element great but the plot device introduced by Soule at the end of the story of the demon coming back every ten years is a great idea that will allow us to skip effortlessly across time which opens up a lot of interesting options.
Art: Like the plots themselves, all the accompanying art was solid but there was a clear winner in my book: Tomm Coker. I've never seen his work before, but the dark, gritty look he brought to the Namor story was absolutely perfect.
Grade: 10/10 |
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Post by Icctrombone on Jan 17, 2019 11:49:04 GMT -5
Marvel Comics Presents #1Written by Ann Nocenti, Greg Pak and Charles Soule Art by Tomm Coker, Paulo Siqueira and Greg Land Summary: Three stories in one featuring the might of Captain America, Namor and Wolverine!
Plot: I admit, I'm a sucker for anthologies so this was always going to appeal to me but this particular one is especially great because it combines three stories that I easily would have bought on their own. Wolverine during WWII fighting a supernatural menace? Yes Please. A slice of life with Captain America? Sign me up. Namor reacting to the bombing of Japan? I'll read that. And here we get all three in one which is a fantastic bargain. Although, all three were great(I loved the one and done Cap and Namor tales!) the Wolverine story was hands down my favorite, not only was the supernatural element great but the plot device introduced by Soule at the end of the story of the demon coming back every ten years is a great idea that will allow us to skip effortlessly across time which opens up a lot of interesting options.
Art: Like the plots themselves, all the accompanying art was solid but there was a clear winner in my book: Tomm Coker. I've never seen his work before, but the dark, gritty look he brought to the Namor story was absolutely perfect.
Grade: 10/10 Is this a 3.99 book, or did they have full page stories and a larger cover price ? |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 17, 2019 11:54:19 GMT -5
Conan the Barbarian #2Written by Jason Aaron Art by Mahmud Asrar Summary: When Conan crosses the Black River for revenge he learns that he has more in common with his Pictish enemies than his allies.
Plot: Aaron's plot here is more than a little rote with Conan as the defender of Aquilonian settlers going native while among a tribe of Picts like some early great white hero story from early American literature. While transposing a colonial American type of story into Conan's world does show a creative streak in Aaron's view of Conan the adoption of all the tropes that go with that type of story makes it a little troubling to read. While there is no out right racism in the tale, which can't be said of other colonial depictions of First Peoples, the whole set up of the "civilized" scout learning to love the "savage" life style and is somehow the only one who can save the day is definitely condescending and only forwards a narrative they "they" are different than "us". Sure, by turning the Picts into Native Americans it provides a story where we see why Conan always sees himself the outsider no matter where he travels it's moral tastes a little sour. It's not enough to turn me completely off of this newest iteration of Conan but it does put a slight damper on my hopes for the series.
Art: While the plot wasn't what I was looking for, Asrar's art was as solid as ever. My favorite scene however was early on, as we follow the Picts on their hunt of a panther, we can only look on as their prey encounters another hunter of the night:Conan himself! Instead of attacking each other, Conan places his finger to his lips in a signal to be quiet and the Panther stalks on uninterrupted allowing Conan to attack the Picts. It was such a perfectly fun, quiet moment that seemed like a perfect Conan moment.
Grade:6/10 |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 17, 2019 12:02:53 GMT -5
Marvel Comics Presents #1Written by Ann Nocenti, Greg Pak and Charles Soule Art by Tomm Coker, Paulo Siqueira and Greg Land Summary: Three stories in one featuring the might of Captain America, Namor and Wolverine!
Plot: I admit, I'm a sucker for anthologies so this was always going to appeal to me but this particular one is especially great because it combines three stories that I easily would have bought on their own. Wolverine during WWII fighting a supernatural menace? Yes Please. A slice of life with Captain America? Sign me up. Namor reacting to the bombing of Japan? I'll read that. And here we get all three in one which is a fantastic bargain. Although, all three were great(I loved the one and done Cap and Namor tales!) the Wolverine story was hands down my favorite, not only was the supernatural element great but the plot device introduced by Soule at the end of the story of the demon coming back every ten years is a great idea that will allow us to skip effortlessly across time which opens up a lot of interesting options.
Art: Like the plots themselves, all the accompanying art was solid but there was a clear winner in my book: Tomm Coker. I've never seen his work before, but the dark, gritty look he brought to the Namor story was absolutely perfect.
Grade: 10/10 Is this a 3.99 book, or did they have full page stories and a larger cover price ? Cover price is 4.99, and it is slightly longer than your typical books clocking in at 36 pages but the quality of the stories made it more than worth it. |
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Post by Roquefort Raider on Jan 17, 2019 14:45:41 GMT -5
Conan the Barbarian #2Written by Jason Aaron Art by Mahmud Asrar (...) While transposing a colonial American type of story into Conan's world does show a creative streak in Aaron's view of Conan the adoption of all the tropes that go with that type of story makes it a little troubling to read. (...) That's actually Robert E. Howard's doing, not Aaron. Beyond the Black River reads exactly like a James Fenimore Cooper story, with the Picts playing the role of the American Natives (with lots of cultural references that wouldn't be out of place if those guys were Hurons or Mohawks). While they are used as the enemy, it can however be argued that the Picts are in the right, for the Aquilonians are invaders settling on their lands! |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2019 23:46:27 GMT -5
Superman #7: Superman and Lois are reunited with their now 17 year old son as he reveals Jor-El is totally bonkers. What was a three week span for Superman and Lois was several years for Jon. We see him and Jor-El in action taking on Dominators and Khunds which prompted Lois’s return to Earth. By the story’s end Jon tells his parents that all isn’t right with Jor-El, which I’m guessing will be the focus of the next arc.
The art is excellent in the first and final part of the book. The splash page of Superman hugging his son is beautiful and no words are needed. When the flashback begins, there’s a different artist, but as the story unfolds, it fits. Some of the dialogue is pretty bad (to me at least) but overall, this is a great issue. It will be interesting to see the upcoming father/son dynamic with Superman/Jor-El and Superman/Jon.
8/10
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Post by hondobrode on Jan 18, 2019 1:08:18 GMT -5
I'm a huge Superman fan, and really liked having Jon as a child, and am disappointed in him advancing in age like this.
As for this week's Fantastic Four, it's finally feeling more like some of the better runs. It's been better than average to this point but not great though I feel it's gotten closer to what I want this issue and I'm really digging Aaron Kuder's art which has a nice Art Adams feel to it.
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 18, 2019 8:07:13 GMT -5
Conan the Barbarian #2Written by Jason Aaron Art by Mahmud Asrar (...) While transposing a colonial American type of story into Conan's world does show a creative streak in Aaron's view of Conan the adoption of all the tropes that go with that type of story makes it a little troubling to read. (...) That's actually Robert E. Howard's doing, not Aaron. Beyond the Black River reads exactly like a James Fenimore Cooper story, with the Picts playing the role of the American Natives (with lots of cultural references that wouldn't be out of place if those guys were Hurons or Mohawks). While they are used as the enemy, it can however be argued that the Picts are in the right, for the Aquilonians are invaders settling on their lands! Hmmm, I don't think I ever read that story, or if I did I pleasantly forgot it as I really hate that whole great white hero trope. I have no problem with the Picts defending their lands against Aquilonian settlers, it's that only Conan can save them from the wrathful snake monster and that the message of Conan being accepted by the picts, refusing them and then finding civilization sour in his mouth while reflecting on the merits of the "savage" life just solidifies the notion that the Picts (and Native Peoples) are wholly other. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Jan 18, 2019 10:38:16 GMT -5
Hawkman #8: Hawkman meets his Kryptonian self in this melancholy issue. There’s several Superman Easter eggs, so if you are into Superman, check this issue out. The issue is a conversation between Hawkman and Catar-Ol as Krypton destructs. I would read a mini series just about the Kryptonian Hawkman. I liked how he’s a historian and how sad he was that all he had preserved was just moments from being destroyed. I liked the thoughts of Hawkman at the beginning of the story about Superman and how he inspires hope. Hawkman didn’t quite get what he was looking for on Krypton, but based on his conversation with Catar, he may have already possessed what he’s been searching for all along. Things aren’t looking good for Earth at the end of the story. Excellent issue from start to finish with absolutely beautiful art. 10/10 I didn't care for this one nearly as much as you, while I loved the art(especially that history of Krypton spread!) the plot itself felt like so much treading water. Nothing really happened and we didn't really learn a whole lot about Hawkman. |
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Post by Roquefort Raider on Jan 18, 2019 13:18:47 GMT -5
That's actually Robert E. Howard's doing, not Aaron. Beyond the Black River reads exactly like a James Fenimore Cooper story, with the Picts playing the role of the American Natives (with lots of cultural references that wouldn't be out of place if those guys were Hurons or Mohawks). While they are used as the enemy, it can however be argued that the Picts are in the right, for the Aquilonians are invaders settling on their lands! Hmmm, I don't think I ever read that story, or if I did I pleasantly forgot it as I really hate that whole great white hero trope. I have no problem with the Picts defending their lands against Aquilonian settlers, it's that only Conan can save them from the wrathful snake monster and that the message of Conan being accepted by the picts, refusing them and then finding civilization sour in his mouth while reflecting on the merits of the "savage" life just solidifies the notion that the Picts (and Native Peoples) are wholly other. Oooh, I suspect I will have toward Aaron's Conan the same reaction as toward Wood's, independently of the writer's storytelling ability. Conan acting as the Aquilonians' saviour agrees with his role in Howard's Beyond the Black River. But as saviour of the Picts? That flies in the face of what we know of all the people involved. First, the Picts are in full control of their land; be it the forest and its savage animals, its monsters and its demons, it is their country and they thrive in it. No way would they need help from anyone because a wrathful snake monster shows up, unless it's made clear that this is some menace that's alien to their land. Even if they did need help, they would never accept Conan (or vice-versa). Picts and Cimmerians hate each other to an irrational degree. Seeing the Picts as "the other" is however pretty much how Beyond the Black River (as well as The Black Stranger and Wolves Beyond the Border) would have it. That's because seeing another people as intrinsically different is a human trait that is widely shared, and one which has led to many terrible situations in our history. Aquilonians here are clearly the European settlers who treat non-Europeans as savages, basically sub-humans. What compensates a little is that in his essay The Hyborian Age, Howard shows that the Picts are, after all, just a people like many others. In the centuries that would follow the reign of Conan, they would play the role of the Wisigoths to Aquilonia's Rome and carve their own empire out of the decadent west. When it comes to racism in Howard's stories, we often come across racist characters or cultures... Not because Howard advocates racism in them but because it's such an important and ugly part of human history. I'm still not sure I'd like Aaron's take on Conan... depending on how you judge the following issues, I'll decide whether to risk getting the first trade when it eventually comes out (no LCS here to test the book!) |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2019 23:39:29 GMT -5
Supergirl 26: I’m happy to see Kevin Maguire back on art in this issue! Supergirl finds herself a captive of the Citadel. Harry Hokum, the leader of the Citadel, has her DNA extracted as he is experimenting on creating an army of clones. Supergirl is thrown in prison and while helping other prisoners escape, the Omega Men show up. Lots of 80s fun in this issue with all the various Citadel creatures and the Omega Men. I haven’t given them a thought since the early 80s. Not a bad issue, moves fast, although it really doesn’t add much to Supergirl’s original quest.
7/10
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2019 14:38:46 GMT -5
 Superman #7. Written by Brian Michael Bendis. Art by Ivan Reis. Brandon Peterson. In this issue: Clark, Lois and Jon reunite. Jon has aged 7 years due to exposure to a black hole. Bendis supplies some of the back story to what happened to Jon, Lois and Jor-El in space and why Lois came back early. I liked this issue. The responses from Clark & Lois to Jon's return and aging are realistic. It was great especially the scenes with Lois. Lois laments missing out on 7 years of Jon's life. So I wonder why Bendis took Lois and Jon "off the board" with the first arc and why he aged Jon? I wonder how we will have two Superboys in the DCU with Jon and Conner. Reis' art was beautiful as usual. Peterson's art style was more cartoony than I remember. So with one issue Bendis has me engaged again in this title. 8/10. |
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